What do the contour lines represent?

What do the contour lines represent?

Contour line, a line on a map representing an imaginary line on the land surface, all points of which are at the same elevation above a datum plane, usually mean sea level. The diagram illustrates how contour lines show relief by joining points of equal elevation.

What are lines of equal elevation called on topographic maps?

Contours are imag- inary lines that join points of equal elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface, such as mean sea level. Contours make it possible to measure the height of mountains, depths of the ocean bottom, and steep- ness of slopes. A topographic map shows more than contours.

How do contour lines indicate elevation?

The feature that makes this possible is contour lines: Contour lines indicate the steepness of terrain. Contour lines connect points that share the same elevation: Where they’re close together (they never intersect), elevation is changing rapidly in short distance and the terrain is steep.

What do contour lines represent on a topographic map?

The distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is the use of elevation contour lines to show the shape of the Earth’s surface. Elevation contours are imaginary lines connecting points having the same elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface, which is usually mean sea level.

Can you get contour lines on Google Maps?

Frank Taylor, Google Earth Blog reported that New Contour Lines in Google Maps. Google has announced a new feature to the terrain relief maps they added last November to Google Maps. Now when you zoom in closer, the terrain shows contour lines to give you an even better feel for the lay of the land.

How do you find the contour interval?

Divide the difference in elevation between the index lines by the number of contour lines from one index line to the next. In the example above, the distance 200 is divided by the number of lines, 5. The contour interval is equal to 200 / 5 = 40, or 40-unit contour intervals.

Why will the contour lines be in irregular shape?

The slope between contour lines is assumed to be uniform. The distance between contours indicates the steepness of the slope. Irregular contours signify rough, rugged country. Contour elevations are shown on the uphill side of lines or in breaks to avoid confusion.

What does smooth contour mean?

Nothing bad: Smooth hepatic contour means no signs of cirrhosis or mass. Echogenicity is sometimes from a vessel on end or a small hemangioma. These are not cancerous or anything to worry about.

What are steep and gentle slopes?

Answer: When contour lines are closer to each other, then slope is called steep slope. When contour lines are further apart from each other, then slope is gentle slope. Slope is a type of surface where one end of the surface is higher than the another end of that surface.

What is the shape of contour lines in case of a valley?

12. What is the shape of contour lines in case of a valley? Explanation: Contour lines cross a valley line at right angles. They form sharp curves of V shape across it with the convex side of the curve towards the higher ground.

What is the difference between a valley and a ridge?

Ridge (Also: Arete or Spur) – A continuous elevated terrain with sloping sides. A valley can be “V” or “U” shaped and often can be seen as a “negative” to a ridge. On a map, valleys are represented by the same contour shape as ridges with the difference being the the wide openings are at lower elevation.

Which shaped lines indicate the presence of Ridge?

Which shaped lines indicate the presence of a ridge? Explanation: The contour line with U-shape, which has convexity towards a lower ground shows the presence of a ridge.